Grants & Grant Writing
A grant is a sum of money that an organization or individual may receive from the government or some other organization as a means of accomplishing a particular goal. Non-profit organizations often rely on such grants in order to carry out their basic functions, but for-profit companies can sometimes qualify for such funds as well. In order to get such funds, these organizations usually need to apply and write a grant proposal.
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Types of Funders
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A funder is a person or organization that issues grants. Funders fall into four basic categories: companies, individuals, foundations and government programs. Each type of funder has specific kinds of grants that it is willing to make, and they tend to have different methods of review as well. As a grant proposal must be written with its intended audience in mind, it is important to consider which type of funder you will be primarily trying to appeal to before you start writing.
Letter of Inquiry
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Because individuals and organizations who offer grants are giving away free money, they are accustomed to receiving many more requests than they are able to fill. For this reason, they often require grant writers to submit a letter of inquiry first before submitting a full grant proposal. A letter of inquiry is much shorter than a grant proposal -- usually only two pages -- and it condenses the bare essentials of the grant proposal into that space. Funders will look through these letters of inquiry and decide on the ones that are most likely to meet their funding requirements before requesting to read any full-length funding proposals. Through this method, they save a lot of time and effort for the most pertinent projects.
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Addressing Funding Requirements
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In order to write successful grant proposals, grant writers must address the funding requirements of the specific funder. These requirements may include time frame, geographic area, type of grant, program nature and grant size. As a grant writer, it is very important to know these requirements and adhere to them. Submitting a grant proposal or letter of inquiry without taking these requirements into account can be a waste of time and effort for writers and funders alike.
Grant Proposal Sections
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A full grant proposal comes in three parts: narratives, budget and supporting materials. The narratives should professionally and concisely communicate the need that you or your organization have for this grant. They should also give the reader a clear and positive picture of how the project will operate and who will be involved in it, taking into consideration methods of planning, implementation and evaluation. While the narratives should be very engaging and human, the budget should have a tone that focuses on objectivity and claims that are verifiable with numbers. List your various money requirements and how you will apportion funds to them. Supporting materials may or may not be a necessary part of your grant proposal. If they are, the materials you will need to include may differ from one project to another. These are usually documents that affirm the legitimacy or authenticity of the project, such as government permits or copies of licenses and certifications that are necessary for key personnel.
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